A healthy and productive place to learn
Conventional education buildings are typically designed just to meet minimum standards in building codes. The result is facilities that are not designed to provide comfortable, productive and healthy work environments for students and teachers.
A large number of studies have found that education buildings both in Australia and abroad are unhealthy - increasing illness and absenteeism, affecting the learning environment and bringing down test scores.
One international review of 30 green schools, Greening America's Schools: Costs and Benefits, found that green schools and universities deliver:
- 41.5% improvements in health of students and teachers (such as reduced incidence of asthma, 'flu, respiratory problems and headaches)
- Up to 15% improvement in student learning and productivity
- Up to 25% improvement on test scores from good lighting and ventilation.
The Heschong Mahone Daylighting Study of more than 21,000 students showed a dramatic correlation between daylit school environments and student performance, including:
- 20% faster progression in maths
- 26% faster progression in reading
- Views out of windows increased performance by 5-10%.
Both students and teachers enjoy learning and working in green schools because:
- daylight and views advance performance
- high indoor air quality improves health
- excellent acoustics boost learning potential
- comfortable indoor temperatures increase occupant satisfaction
Every child deserves to go to a school with healthy air to breathe and conditions that encourage learning.
